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134 AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS

than the image itself. And, they may make the hit/no hit decision based only
on this information.
The latent print examiners may also have to learn to use other computer
systems and imaging software that will mask the finger image background, and
they may be required to know the unique features of other AFIS systems. Under-
standing the features of latent print search computers such as the Universal
Latent Workstation (ULW) or Remote Fingerprint Editing Software (RFES)
allows the examiner access to the records on IAFIS.
Latent print examiners are also presented with more candidate images to
choose from than in the past due to the ability of coding and matching soft-
ware to present more candidates that to some degree match the image char-
acteristics of the search print. More candidates, however, does not guarantee a
latent print match or make the job any easier. In the past, when latent prints
were compared only with elimination prints or suspect prints, the choices were
much simpler.
Latent print examiners must also be able to articulate and explain their iden-
tifications in court. As defense attorneys challenge more latent print identifi-
cations through pre-trial hearings, latent print examiners are appearing in
court more often. The identifications they make are no longer always accepted
without question.
Keeping the cadre of latent print examiners across the nation will require
funding and the political will to continue these positions. Too often, experi-
enced latent print examiners have no promotional opportunities within their
specialty and must transfer out to another assignment such as road patrol.
Another AFIS threat is litigation for a misidentification. Whereas a missed
identification means that the tenprint submitted by an inquiring agency does
not match a record that already exists on the database, a misidentification
occurs when the wrong person is identified, and so the wrong criminal history
is linked to that person. The embarrassment, possible incarceration, and almost
certain resulting litigation are unpleasant for all involved.
Averting these threats will require funding resources, training, personnel,
and the political will to succeed.

6.2 DNA AND FINGERPRINTS

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been attracting much attention lately
because of its remarkable accuracy in making a positive identification. DNA is
extremely accurate in determining a match of a sample to an enrolled speci-
men. DNA evidence has freed prisoners wrongly convicted of crimes. Regard-
less of whether the freed inmates were originally convicted because of poor
defense strategy, bad evidence, or misguided prosecutors, it was shown that